Fathers play, too

Some of you probably feel that fathers get left out of the children's book world. My husband is an avid reader to our son, and I think he keeps an on-going tally of fathers vs. mothers in fiction. The moms, as you might guess, significantly outnumber the dads. Well, here is a book for nurturing dads. Minfong Ho's Peek! A Thai Hide-and-Seek features a playful father asking noisy domestic and tropical creatures where he can find his plucky little daughter. The familiar childhood game is spiced up, shall we say, as we sound out the Thai conventions for animal sounds ("swip-swip-swip-swip" for the dragonfly, and "hoom praowl, hoom praowl for the elephant). Holly Meade's illustrations, which are a satisfying combination of luminous colors and crisp design, likewise transport us to a world where everything seems fresh and new, and a father's love for his daughter is at it should be.

Also, may I add, a lovely book for a gift!

Minfong Ho (author) and Holly Meade (illustrator)
Peek! A Thai Hide-and-Seek
Candlewick, 2004